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Tuesday, February 23, 1999 Published at 12:22 GMT


Talking Point


Is the time right for the euro?

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is unveiling his government's plans for joining the euro - despite the fact he and his cabinet have made no decision about whether to join.

Sceptics see Chancellor Gordon Brown's "National Changeover Plan" as a sign that the government is trying to stealthily push the UK into the single currency.

But supporters are frustrated that the chancellor will not commit the government to the euro until public opinion swings in its favour.

Companies will be reluctant to campaign for monetary union until the prime minister makes the first move, so the two sides could end up at loggerheads.

So what is public opinion - is it euro time for Britain?

Last week car maker Vauxhall joined forces with trade unions to say that the UK could lose jobs and hard cash if it failed to join.

But the euro-sceptics warn that monetary union is a venture without a track record and has a dubious future.

The shadow chancellor, Francis Maude said: "Tony Blair's decision to announce the details of the national changeover plan himself shows just how committed the government is to rushing headlong in to the single currency."

But what do you think?

Is the time right for the euro?


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